Summary

  • Junior doctors in England are taking part in a 24-hour strike on Tuesday 12 January 2016 in dispute with government

  • Emergency cover only being provided after 08:00 GMT

  • There are 55,000 junior doctors - about a third of the workforce

  • Three strikes are planned - the last in February will see doctors refuse to provide emergency care

Live Reporting

Mario Cacciottolo and Michelle Roberts

  1. More than 4,000 treatments cancelled

    As a result of the strike, more than 4,000 routine treatments have been cancelled so far. Some were in the days before and days after the strike.

    Tests, appointments and clinics are also being hit, and an estimated one in 10 non-emergency patients look like they will be affected on the day. 

  2. Facts and figures from the strike action

    Here's a few statistics to start things off with. Junior doctors will provide emergency cover only during the 24-hour walkout, which got under way at 08:00 GMT. 

    There are 55,000 junior doctors in England, which is about a third of the workforce.

    Only 37,700 are British Medical Association members.

    GPs and consultants are not involved in the strike, nor are nurses and other NHS staff.

  3. Strike action begins

    This is our coverage of today's industrial action by junior doctors. They are taking part in a 24-hour strike in a dispute with the government over a new contract. 

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates, images and tweets covering the strike.